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Post by Terry & Jackson on Jan 12, 2016 8:20:08 GMT -7
Jackson surgery information: State: Alabama Hospital: Carriage Hills Animal Hospital 3200 Eastern Bypass Montgomery, AL 36116 334-277-2867 Dr. Bill Van Hooser, DVM Date of Surgery: 12/29/2015 Type of Surgery: Thoracic laminectomy Total Cost: $4,476.10 (This total includes 24/7 hospitalization 2 days prior to surgery and 2 days after surgery, MRI, All Medications; to include intravenous fluids/ medications and oral take home medications. Instructions were strict complete crate rest, carry out to use bathroom using a harness and 5 ft leash. This Animal Hospital is on call for Emergency visits 24/7 with a Vet on site with nurses and technicians, they were available to speak with to check on Jackson every time I called. I would highly recommend this Animal Hospital to anyone they have 11 Vets including 1 Vetinary Oncologist and of course include Dr. Bill who specializes in neurology and IVDD treatments and surgery. At this point no other physical therapy or treatments for Jackson were suggested. Dr. Bill was very impressed with his recovery so far. If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me! Terry Patterson
[Editor's Note: Dodgerslist in general recommends board certified vets for spinal cord surgery, the most delicate and tricky of surgeries.]What is Board Certified? When looking for a vet or surgeon, patients generally see many alphabet credentials and certifications in a title. Many times these credentials are confusing, and there is little opportunity to weigh the relative value of seemingly similar credentials.
With a four year general practice veterinary DVM degree and a license, a vet may practice any kind of medicine or surgery with or without additional special training.
The American Veterinary Medical Association mandates the use of “specialist” be reserved only for veterinarians who have completed advanced study to become a “diplomate” , board certified. Diplomates have completed an additional coursework, approved residency and passed the board’s exam and may rightly then use ACVIM or ACVS in their title.
ACVIM (Neurology) indicates having completed board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. These veterinary surgeons are specialists in neurological diseases such as IVDD.
ACVS indicates having completed board certification from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. These vets are specialists in orthopedics (injuries and diseases of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves)
While many vets who are family practice DVMs (not board certified) might offer neurological surgery, board certification is a good standard by which to measure competence and training.
You can be confident that vets who are board certified (ACVIM or ACVS) have at a minimum the proper training in their specialty and have demonstrated their proficiency through supervision and testing. While there are many non-board certified vets who are highly competent, it is more difficult for a dog owner to assess the level of their training. Naturally, board certification alone does not guarantee competence, but it is a standard that reflects successful completion of an appropriate training program.
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